A Trace of Poison by Colleen Cambridge (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

 

Title: A Trace of Poison

Author: Colleen Cambridge

Publication: 25 October 2022 

Format: Kindle eARC via Kensington & NetGalley

Amazon Description

In this captivating English murder mystery from an acclaimed author, Agatha Christie’s housekeeper must uncover the killer amongst a throng of crime writers.
In England’s stately manor houses, murder is not generally a topic for polite conversation. Mallowan Hall, home to Agatha Christie and her husband, Max, is the exception. And housekeeper Phyllida Bright delights in discussing gory plot details with her friend and employer . . .
The neighboring village of Listleigh has also become a hub of grisly goings-on, thanks to a Murder Fête organized to benefit a local orphanage. Members of The Detection Club—a group of celebrated authors such as G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Agatha herself—will congregate for charitable events, including a writing contest for aspiring authors. The winner gets an international publishing contract, and entrants have gathered for a cocktail party—managed by the inimitable Phyllida—when murder strikes too close even for her comfort.
It seems the victim imbibed a poisoned cocktail intended for Alastair Whittlesby, president of the local writers’ club. The insufferable Whittlesby is thought to be a shoo-in for the prize, and ambition is certainly a worthy motive. But narrowing down these suspects could leave even Phyllida’s favorite fictional detective, M. Poirot, twirling his mustache in frustration.
It’s a mystery too intriguing for Phyllida to resist, but one fraught with duplicity and danger, for every guest is an expert in murder—and how to get away with it . . .

 Ramble-y Teaserish Stuff

Back in July I read the first of Colleen Cambridge's Phyllida Bright books -- Murder at Mallowan Hall. I almost instantly fell in love with the story and the characters and was ridiculously excited that the second one was on NetGalley. I easily and eagerly gave Murder at Mallowan Hall five enthusiastic stars.

A Trace of Poison? 

Well ....

I'm still debating this one. Unenthusiastically.

It may end up getting three stars. Each of those stars will belong to Inspector Cork, Mr Dobble, and Bradford -- those characters least likely to let Phyllida walk all over them no matter how hard she tries. She really can be a horrific snob and there was more than one occasion when I audibly "whooped" when someone knocked her down a peg or two. Not that she really ever seemed to notice what was happening due to her ego getting in the way of reality.

I had such high hopes that this would be as good as -- if not better than -- the first book. Unfortunately, for me, it wasn't. I couldn't even find myself getting overly giddy about the inclusion of Chesterton and Sayers because Phyllida was getting on my nerves too much. I haven't seen a third Phyllida book announced yet and I honestly don't know if I will request it if and when it may appear. Right now I'm even a little angsty about reading the other Cambridge waiting on my shelf ...

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"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews. 

"Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.